The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's right hand condition to his service-connected right index finger scar, and thus denied the claim for service connection.
The deciding factor: There is no competent evidence of a nexus between the veteran's right hand condition and his service-connected right index finger scar.
- Claimed conditions
- right hand condition
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 1, 2002
- Citation
- 0202009
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0202009.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to errors in notification letters.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded five service connection claims for a left knee condition, vertigo, lung condition, right hand condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records from Cooper Hospital.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral hip conditions, right hand condition, and OSA are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his claims for increased ratings and SMC. The VA will provide an examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left and right shoulder conditions, as well as a permanent need for aid and attendance.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.